Shmashana
A śmaśāna (Devanagari: श्मशान) is a
The word has its origin from Sanskrit language: shma refers to shava ("corpse"), while shana refers to shanya ("bed").[1][2] The other Indian religions like Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism also use śmaśāna for the last rites of the dead.
Hinduism
As per
Various
Dead bodies are traditionally cremated on a
Jainism
The Jains also cremate the dead as soon as possible to avoid growth of micro-organisms.
Early Buddhism
In the
'Cemetery contemplations', as described in
...have as their objects a corpse one or two or three days old, swollen up, blue-black in colour, full of corruption; a corpse eaten by crows, etc.; a framework of bones; flesh hanging from it, bespattered with blood, held together by the sinews; without flesh and blood, but still held together by the sinews; bones scattered in all direction; bleached and resembling shells; heaped together after the lapse of years; weathered and crumbled to dust.
At the end of each of these contemplations there follows the conclusion: "This body of mine also has this nature, has this destiny, cannot escape it."
Similar are the 10 objects of loathsomeness (asubha q.v.).
— [11]
Spiritual role
A śmaśāna, also known as a cremation ground or burial ground, holds cultural, religious, and ritualistic significance in various Eastern spiritual traditions, including Hinduism and certain Tibetan Buddhist practices. The śmaśāna is said to be abode of ghosts, evil spirits, fierce deities, tantrics. Therefore, people in general prefer to avoid going near śmaśāna at night. Women generally do not go to śmaśāna, only males go to śmaśāna to perform last rites.
Śmaśāna is a place, where followers of
See also
References
- ISBN 978-0-7102-0236-9. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
- ISBN 978-0-9793051-1-5. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
- ^ Lalita Prasad Vidyarthi; Makhan Jha; Baidyanath Saraswati (1979). The Sacred Complex of Kashi: A Microcosm of Indian Civilization. Concept Publishing Company. pp. 60–. GGKEY:PC0JJ5P0BPA. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
- ISBN 978-81-7017-315-1. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
- ^ A modern indoor Electric crematorium in Surat, India
- ^ Cemetery Staff Go On Strike From May 1. DNA India, 25 May 2010 - At every cemetery, there is a death register karkoon (clerk), also known as a DRK, an electrician for electric crematorium, a furnace operator and labourers.
- ISBN 978-81-7835-723-2. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
- ISBN 978-1-136-84628-1. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
- ^ In these suttas, the Buddha instructs monks to stay in the forest in order to aid their meditation practice DN 2,DN 11,DN 12,DN 16, MN 4,MN 10, MN 27,MN 39,MN 60,MN 66,MN 101, MN 105, MN 107, MN 125, AN 4.259, AN 5.75, AN 5.76, AN 5.114, AN 10.60, Sn 1.12, Sn 3.11, SN 11.3, SN 22.80, This list is not exhaustive as there are many more related suttas.
- OCLC 1479270.
- ^ Nyanatiloka (1980). Buddhist Dictionary: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines. Fourth Revised Edition edited by Nyanaponika. Kandy, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society. Source: [1] (accessed: Tuesday December 24, 2009)